We had a great trip to Sydney and got the result we wanted. It was a good game on both a club and personal level.

As a team we needed the win to push closer to the top four, which is definitely a goal, and also keep our winning streak over the Swans alive and stretch it to five games. I think being able to beat them consistently bodes well for the immediate future, especially if we do end up playing them in the finals.

It was also a good game for me, booting a couple of goals and taking a couple of good grabs. The marks were simply a case of being in the right place at the right time.

I was told about the surface at ANZ Stadium being shifty before the game, but once I was out there I couldn’t believe it. The ground was patchy with lush green grass in sections but muddy or sandy in others.

I think the way the footing could be best described would be to say it’s like going out for a kick on dewy grass in joggers. You don’t know when the ground is going to give way or hold firm.

I think that was part of the reason for the low skill level on display in the first half of the game as the players tried to get used to the surface.

Thankfully this week we are back to the MCG and a very good surface. I won’t be comparing it to ANZ Stadium because that would be an injustice to ‘The G’.

Obviously the Barry Hall/Shane Wakelin incident got plenty of coverage afterwards but from our end it didn’t take away from the game. I’m sure Shane felt it warranted a free kick and Sydney are dealing with Barry’s situation.

As I said this week we are back home at the MCG taking on the Adelaide Crows, who are a quality side and not dissimilar to Sydney in the sense they play a very tight game and are good right across the park.

You always know you have been in a contest when you have played the Crows and this week won’t be any different. On a personal note I am hoping to push up the park a bit and spend some time in the middle, but we’ll see what happens.

Both sides will be fired up for a big game, especially as the winner could finish the round just two points outside the top four with Sydney taking on the Hawks.

Also if we win we can create a bit of space for ourselves from Adelaide and the likes of St Kilda and Carlton.

I’m getting my dog this week, so in anticipation I have cleaned up the house and made sure I put paper down all over the place.

Rod, thanks for the comment on the post – it was good to get the job done.

Dale